Mr. Tony Geoghegan:

Senator Ruane's questions were very intensive. It is beyond my scope to say how we can make things better overall from a governmental point of view. I certainly think that if this pandemic continues for some time, and it looks like it will, we need to focus on the people who are most badly affected by it. There was a lot of talk about how we bring people along us with and ensure there is compliance. The key is to engage people and look at what supports they need in order to comply and move forward. For the Garda, in particular, there are concerns as we go forward in the context that we are now such a diverse society culturally. The Commissioner has previously raised concerns about the level of cultural confidence within the Garda and the policing system. There has been evidence of discrimination faced by minority groups, particularly in respect of racial profiling, as we have seen in the past, as well as the stop-and-search powers and how they are used.

For the Garda going forward it is very important that this cultural confidence is embedded in everything gardaí do, from their initial training, and for all members right across An Garda Síochána.